TOURNAMENT HOMEPAGE

ST. PETER, Minn. – The Bethel University women's tennis team competed at the ITA Midwest Regional hosted at Gustavus Adolphus College over the weekend and the Royals once again had a strong outting highlighted by All-American accomplishments once again from Maggie Riermann and Grace Riermann.

After becoming Bethel's first-ever All-Americans at last year's ITA Midwest Regional, the Riermann's defended their doubles title and No. 1 seed defeating Carleton's Maddy Prins and Faith Yim. The duo dropped the opening set 5-7 before bouncing back with a 6-4 set two win forcing a super tie breaker. Digging deep the duo gutted out a 10-8 decision reclaiming their doubles title. The win qualifies them to compete in the ITA Cup in Rome, Ga. which features eight regional champions competing for the national title.

In doubles action, Mackenzie Novak and Sydney Rott were seeded ninth winning their first three matches before being defeated by the eventual runner-up's from Carleton in the quarterfinals. Ingrid Goldstrand and Rylee Schurman took their opening match 8-3 before falling 8-1 in the second round.  

In singles play Bethel held three of the top 10 seeds. Grace Riermann went the distance as the No. 2 seed, out of 96 players, adding to her All-American accolades with a singles ITA Midwest Region title.  With a bye in the opening round she worked her way to the quarterfinals having only dropped one game. Advancing to the semis with a 6-2, 6-0 win over Taylor McLeod of St. Thomas, Riermann battled with UW-Eau Claire's Wijesinghe advancing to the championship match on a 7-5, 6-1 decision. Riermann was on her game against top-seeded and defending singles title holder Ginger Valentine from Gustavus. The two top seeds played each other close in both sets with Riermann coming out on top 7-5, 6-4.

As the No. 3 seed in singles play, Maggie Riermann received an opening round bye before advancing to the quarterfinals in the second quarter portion of the bracket. UW-Whitewater's Sabrina Palavara defeated Maggie in the third round 6-2, 7-5. As the No. 8 seed Novak went 2-1 after also receiving an opening round bye. Novak took her opening match 6-1, 6-1 before advancing to the third round with a 7-6 (3), 6-3 win over St. Olaf's Sabrina Barboza. Novak fell in the third round to UW-Whitewater's Paige Nierman 7-6, 3-6, 6-1.

Rott and Goldstrand each won their opening match of singles play before falling in the second round.

Competing in the Fall Invite held by Gustavus Adolphus, sophomore Libby Kurtzman reached the finals of the Draw #1 bracket before falling 6-1, 6-4. Kurtzman and Kally Peterson went the distance reaching the semis in their respective doubles bracket.